The Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Democracy and Freedom as Fundamental Human Rights ELEONORA CERCAVSCHI Recipient of the 2008 Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture Award The Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture Series Edited by Christian Ostermann and Mircea Munteanu Introduction 1 Sam Donaldson

Introducing 4 Eleonora Cercavschi Paula J. Dobriansky

the Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture 2008 6 Democracy as a Challenge Eleonora Cercavschi

A Short Note on 13 Ratiu Family History Introduction

Sam Donaldson Ratiu Family Foundation, the event expresses the Chair, Wilson Center Council deep commitment to democracy of the late Ion Ratiu through his contributions as a Romanian politician and intellectual as well as his interest in n behalf of the Wilson Center, I am democratic change worldwide. pleased to introduce the Fourth Annual The Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture seeks to OIon Ratiu Democracy Lecture. The make available for students, scholars, practitioners, 2008 lecture has been awarded to Ms. Eleonora and policymakers the experience and insights of Cercavschi for her remarkable work in defense of individuals whose work and commitment on behalf the rights of children in to be educated of democracy are broadly in keeping with those of in their native language and her continued fight to Ion Ratiu and to provide opportunities to engage a protect the cultural identity of ’s most wide range of Washington-based and international defenseless. We are very pleased to have been able audiences to increase their appreciation of the con- to host Ms. Cercavschi at the Woodrow Wilson tribution that individuals can make in advancing Center. I am also delighted that Undersecretary democratic change. Dobriansky agreed to introduce Ms. Cercavschi. Equally important, the Lecture aims to be Her participation highlights the importance of the of value for the individuals who are selected to public-private partnership for spreading and sup- participate, providing opportunities to reflect and porting democracy activism beyond diplomatic learn, and to benefit from individual and insti- chancelleries and into the public discourse. Let me tutional resources that are uniquely available in also recognize the Chairman of the Center’s Board Washington, including meetings with U.S. gov- of Trustees, Ambassador Joseph Gildenhorn, and ernment officials. his wife Alma, as well as several ambassadors present Past awardees have included Egyptian democ- in the audience. racy activist Saad El-Din Ibrahim and Anatoli The Woodrow Wilson Center is the national, Mikhailov of Belorussia, who is the president living memorial honoring President Woodrow of the European Humanities University, now in Wilson. It provides an essential link between the exile in Vilnius. worlds of ideas and public policy in order to address Dr. Paula Dobriansky, one of this country’s fin- current and future domestic and global challenges. est and most distinguished public servants and cur- The Center fosters policy-relevant research and rently the Undersecretary of State for Democracy dialogue to enhance the capabilities and knowledge and Global Affairs has graciously agreed to intro- of leaders, citizens, and institutions worldwide. duce this year’s awardee. Dr. Dobriansky was Created by an Act of Congress, the Center is a nominated by President George W. Bush on non-partisan institution supported by both public March 12, 2001, unanimously confirmed by the and private funds. Senate on April 26, and, on May 1, sworn in as The Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture, established Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs. On in 2005, seeks to bring visibility and international July 29, 2005, she became Under Secretary of State recognition to the ideas and accomplishments of for Democracy and Global Affairs. In this capac- individuals around the world who are working on ity, she is responsible for a broad range of foreign behalf of democracy. The lecture strives to enrich policy issues, including democracy, human rights, the intellectual environment in which ideas about labor, refugee and humanitarian relief matters, and democracy and democratic change circulate, both environmental/science issues. She has also been within and beyond Washington. Sponsored by the designated as the Special Coordinator for Tibetan 1 Issues and in February 2007, she was appointed the scholar, Ford and Rotary Foundation Fellow, and a President’s Special Envoy on Northern Ireland, recipient of various honors, including Georgetown with the rank of Ambassador. University’s Annual Alumni Achievement Award, Ambassador Dobriansky’s previous government the State Department’s Superior Honor Award, appointments include Associate Director for Policy National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and Programs at the Information Democracy Service Medal, the International Agency and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Republican Institute’s Jeane Kirkpatrick Award, for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs. She Poland’s Highest Medal of Merit, Grand Cross served as Deputy Head of the U.S. Delegation to of Commander of the Order of the Lithuanian the 1990 Copenhagen Conference on Security Grand Duke Gediminas, National Order “Star of and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), as Advisor ,” Hungary’s Commander’s Cross Order to the U.S. Delegation to the 1985 U.N. Decade of Merit and ’s Order of Merit. for Women Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, and Finally, I want to take this opportunity to as Director of European and Soviet Affairs at the thank Christian Ostermann and his staff, Mircea National Security Council. Munteanu, Kristina Terzieva, and Timothy Dr. Dobriansky’s distinguished career has been McDonnell, for organizing this event. I’ve already very much in the Wilsonian tradition: bridg- mentioned the support by the Ratiu Foundation. ing and engaging scholarship and public policy. This event is also co-sponsored by the Eugenia Prior to her appointment as Undersecretary, Dr. Vintu Foundation for Excellence in Education and Dobriansky served as Senior Vice President and Journalism and the Moldova Foundation, and we Director of the Washington Office of the Council greatly appreciate their support. on Foreign Relations, and she was the Council’s I trust you will enjoy the 2008 Lecture by Ms. first George F. Kennan Senior Fellow for Russian Cercavschi. Her struggle for the rights of children and Eurasian Studies. Dr. Dobriansky holds a M.A. to be educated in their native tongue, her commit- and Ph.D. in Soviet political/military affairs from ment to democratic values, and, most of all, her Harvard University. She is a former Fulbright-Hays courage, serves as an example to us all.

sam donaldson has worked for ABC News for nearly four decades as a correspondent, anchor, and pro- gram co-host. Donaldson began working at ABC News in 1967, after moving to Washington, D.C. In 1977, he became ABC’s chief White House correspondent—a post he held until 1989—and quickly became known for his aggres- sive style of questioning. He was an anchor of World News Sunday for 10 years and for the next 10 was a co-host with Diane Sawyer of Prime Time Live. Since 1982, he has appeared on the panel of ABC’s “This Week with David Brinkley” and co-hosted the program, renamed “This Week,” with Cokie Roberts until 2002. He continues to appear on ABC News Now, the ABC News digital network, on a daily, half-hour, unscripted show, “Politics Live.” He also appears on the “This Week Roundtable” regularly and is an ABC News contributor.

2 The Ratiu Democracy Center

The Ratiu Democracy Center is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization based in Transylvania, Romania. Through its varied programs and projects the Center seeks to promote values and behaviors associated with democracy, open society and multiculturalism. It was founded in July 2004 with the support of the Ratiu Family Foundation based in London, UK and leading faculty members of Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The Ratiu Center is particularly active in the fields of democratization and civil society building through programs and projects that aim to improve the quality of democratic life and civil participation in the public sphere. The Center’s benefi- ciaries range from specific groups (such as students, academics, women, teachers, pensioners, or those with special needs) to wider audiences such as whole com- munities (for example as an organizing partner of Turda Fest, a well-established Transylvanian community agricultural festival). The Ratiu Center for Democracy is also involved in several international proj- ects including the prestigious annual Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture in association with the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars in Washington, D.C. This public lecture, launched in 2005, is complemented by an award made by the Ratiu Family Foundation, as a means of encouraging and rewarding men and women of principle, thinkers as well as activists, struggling to implement democratic values and behaviors in parts of the world where these are either emerging or under threat. The Ratiu Center team combines the energy of its younger members (includ- ing over 230 registered volunteers) with the expertise of its 24 professionals (both “town” and “gown,” activists and academics) organized according to four principle modes of intervention that constitute the Center’s four main depart- ments: “researching,” “learning,” “informing,” and “applying” the values and behaviors associated with democracy. The Ratiu Center distinguishes itself by promoting “democracy as a way of life,” the principle adhered to and promoted by Ion Ratiu (1917–2000), the life-long Romanian opponent of communism and advocate of democracy world-wide. This international perspective is complemented by programs and projects that are also distinctly local, focusing on the particularities of Transylvanian and Romanian post-1989 transition society. —Indrei Ratiu, Director 3 Introducing Eleonora Cercavschi

Remarks by Under Secretary of State for Democracy keeping hopes of a post-Communist Romania alive and Global Affairs throughout the Cold War. When the tyrant did Paula J. Dobriansky fall, he returned to commit himself to rebuilding a democratic Romania that has worked tirelessly ever since to earn its seat at Europe’s table. It is fitting t is truly a pleasure to be here with you at the that this lecture series should bear his name. Woodrow Wilson Center to introduce the recip- The current award marks the fourth in a Iient of the 2008 Ion Ratiu Democracy Award. series that began at my alma mater, Georgetown First, I would like to thank the Wilson Center and University. Its purpose is “to bring visibility and commend its terrific president, Lee Hamilton, for all recognition to the ideas and accomplishments of he does to advance scholarship on international affairs. individuals around the world who are working on Under Lee’s outstanding leadership, the Woodrow behalf of democracy.” Wilson International Center has become one of the Eleonora Cercavschi is an educator and a human pre-eminent institutions of its kind in America. rights activist who is a champion for human rights. The Center’s unique place in the constellation of She has demonstrated heroism, a passion for educa- think-tanks and academic centers is reflected not only tion, and real courage in her efforts to ensure that in the fact that it attracts many of the most talented the right to national identity is preserved in the minds in the world for periods of intense study, but Transnistria region of Moldova. In 1992, Transnistria also that events such as this afternoon’s are headlined declared its independence from Moldova sparking a by a man like Sam Donaldson. Sam is truly an icon of three month war that ended in a state of legal limbo American journalism. From the trenches of Vietnam that has continued to the present day. The de facto to the heights of Capitol Hill, he pioneered electronic government of Transnistria allies itself with , journalism in America. It is an honor for me to share and enforces a policy of russification on its citizens. a role in today’s lecture with him. The State Department’s annual Human Rights As Sam described, Ion Ratiu was also an iconic Report has repeatedly cited violations of human figure to millions of Romanians, both in Romania rights in Transnistria over the past two decades, and abroad, for whom he gave voice to renewed including discrimination against Romanian speak- patriotism and a love of freedom. ers and Romanian language schools. The OSCE, He was, some say, “the best president that which continues to monitor the 1992 cease- Romania never had.” He protested Romania’s sid- fire agreement, has compared the repression of ing with the Nazis in World War II with as much Romanian culture in Transnistria to ethnic cleans- passion as he used to speak out against the tyran- ing. Because of its dubious legal status, enforcing nical regime of Ceausescu. He helped set up the human rights protections in Transnistria is a monu- World Union of Free Romanians as a vehicle for mental task. The real work of defending rights and

Paula j. dobriansky is the Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, and, in this capacity, is responsible for a broad range of foreign policy issues, including democracy, human rights, labor, refugee and humanitarian relief matters, and environmental/science issues. Prior to her appointment, Dr. Dobriansky served as Senior Vice President and Director of the Washington Office of the Council on Foreign Relations. Her government appointments include Associate Director for Policy and Programs at the United States Information Agency, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, Deputy Head of the U.S. Delegation to the 1990 Copenhagen Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe 4 (CSCE), Advisor to the U.S. Delegation to the 1985 U.N. Decade for Women Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, and Director of European and Soviet Affairs at the National Security Council, the White House. Dr. Dobriansky holds a Ph.D. in Soviet political/military affairs from Harvard University. integrity of its citizens is done by often unsung heroes and heroines—such as Eleonora. Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation As principal of the Stefan the Great High School in Ion and Elisabeth Ratiu established THE RATIU Grigoriopol, she demonstrated her passion for educa- tion in resisting the order of local officials that classes FOUNDATION UK in London in 1979. The main be taught only in Russian. Her courage and heroism objective of the Foundation is to promote and sup- were evident in her willingness to risk persecution for port projects which further education and research insisting students be allowed to learn in the Romanian in the culture and history of Romania and its people. language. She was arrested, jailed, and threatened for Projects, undertaken in Romania, are encouraged on fulfilling her role as a teacher and administrator. Her championing of human rights inspired different subjects, such as patrimony, civil society, her to lead an effort for the re-introduction in democracy, civilization, and environmental protec- Transnistria of the Latin alphabet—which the local tion. (www.ratiufamilyfoundation.com) authorities had replaced with Russian Cyrillic. When she was hauled into KGB headquarters and held for a week, she was told she would never see recent book Defending Identify: Its Indispensible Role her children again. However, Eleonara refused to in Protecting Democracy, “those with the strongest be daunted. She continued teaching in Romanian identities were the least likely to succumb to tyr- at yet another school—now 40 kilometers from her anny. Those who retained a sense of the value of home. Her perseverance is a testament to her brav- history, of tradition, of community, those who saw ery and conviction. But just as extraordinary is the a purpose in life beyond life itself proved to be the fact that her students would follow her to increas- ultimate bulwark against Soviet evil.” ingly distant and difficult-to-access locations—a It is through her efforts to preserve identity for a testament to her inspirational leadership. rising generation in Transnistria, that Eleonora has Eleonora’s public activities do not end with committed herself to the intrinsically democratic her teaching, however. She has founded an NGO notion of respecting human rights in terms as fun- called Lumina to defend the rights of children and damental as an alphabet and a language. their educators who choose to study and teach in Democratic governments that cannot tolerate Romanian. She is also active in politics, where she a diversity of identities begin—in the face of their advocates for women’s equal rights. intolerance—to seem less democratic after all. The letter in support of her nomination for the Throughout the world, we face, and will con- award she will receive today is signed by a former tinue to face, multiple questions of how to incor- , together with academicians, porate identity into the matrix of free and peaceful journalists, leaders in civil society and head of a states. The challenge may seem less daunting if we Moldovan political party. Clearly, her voice has been consider it from the perspective of a single, brave heard far beyond the classroom. But it is in the class- voice—such as Eleonora’s. room that fundamental questions are raised. Certainly, there are ethnic and linguistic, reli- The questions posed in Transnistria, and gious and ideological aspects to identity. An equally Eleonora’s specific situation, go straight to the heart important ingredient to the identity mix is courage, of some of the greatest challenges we face today and that is a characteristic Eleonora has demon- in promoting democracy. They have to do with strated herself to possess in ample supply. identity, and the critical role identity plays in the With that, it is my distinct honor to introduce democratic architecture. Eleonora Cercavschi. 5 “As I learned in the prison camps,” former Soviet dissident Natan Sharansky recalls in his most December 4, 2008 The Ion RatIu Democracy Lecture 2008 Democracy as a Fundamental Human Right

Eleonora Cercavschi Two thirds of the land of the Moldova Republic is on the right of the Dnister River, between the Prut and Dnister rivers, and one third is on the left adies and Gentlemen, Honorable Audience, of the Dnister. The region on the East side of the I want to begin by thanking first of all the river Dnister is referred to as Transnistria, meaning LRatiu Family: Elisabeth, Nicolae, Indrei, the region beyond the Dnister. Pamela, and Ioana Ratiu for this opportunity. I want Transnistria was first occupied by Tsarist Russia to thank Madam Secretary Paula Dobriansky, Mr. in 1792, and the region between the Prut and Sam Donaldson, Ambassador Joseph Gildenhorn, Dnister River, called Bessarabia, was torn away Congressman Lee Hamilton, and Dr. Christian from the Romanian principality of Moldova in Ostermann for the support they offered me. 1812. This whole area (both Transnistria and First I would like to say a few words about the Bessarabia) was occupied by Russia until 1918, geographic space where my country is located, when the Romanian Kingdom accomplished the where I live and work as a teacher and the director Great Union of all the Romanian-speaking princi- of a high-school. palities , and Bessarabia united with Romania. The Republic of Moldova is a European state, In 1940, following the secret agreements between found between Romania and Ukraine, and which the and Nazi Germany, between obtained its independence as a result of the dissolu- Stalin and Hitler, Russia once again tore away this tion of the Soviet Union in 1991. The Republic part from Romania, and governed it until the dis- of Moldova was part of the Soviet Union between solution of the Soviet Union in 1991. That year, 1940 and 1991, as the Socialist Soviet Republic on August 27, the Republic of Moldova declared its of Moldova. The republic has a population of 4.5 independence from the Soviet Union, the result of million people, a majority of which (67%) are of the recognition that the Ribbentrop-Molotov agree- Roman descent. ments of 1939 were null and void. Yet this action Historically speaking, the current territory of Moldova was not agreed to by Moscow, which of Moldova was part of the medieval principal- launched a war against Moldova. The war began in ity of Moldova, which began as an historical Transnistria, where Russia had strong military bases entity in 1359. Located at the intersection of and a well equipped and large army. great power geopolitical interests, ever since the Following this war, Russia established an inde- 14th Century Moldova and its people have suf- pendent republic on the right bank of the Dnister fered a lot. Moldovan history is tragic, treated River—the Transnister Moldavian Republic— at the whims of the great powers surrounding under Russian guise. The Russian 14th Army is it. Over the centuries many wars took place on still stationed in this region today, supporting the Moldovan territory. Today, the former territory totalitarian Transnistrian regime. In other words, of the Moldova Principality is split between three for the third time, Russia took control over the different countries: Romania, the Republic of Transnistrian region, and holds it as a bridgehead Moldova, and Ukraine. for its influence in the Balkans. The wars suffered on its territory caused great Since taking control of the Transnistrian region, damage to the country—the de-nationalization of Russia has attempted through all means to Russify the population, the destruction of the economy, the ethnic Romanian population of the area— loss of land, the forced relocation of the ethni- about 40% of the population. It is important to cally Romanian population, and the immigration note that, based on its regional location, and on the 6 of other nationalities. basis of a Russian-led policy of de-nationalization, the ethnicity of the population is classified as The education of local Moldavian, and the language they speak is con- sidered Moldavian. Yet scientifically, the language children is taking place spoken is the Romanian language. It remains a historical fact that the population of the Moldava with 20–25 year old school Principality was ethnically Romanian, and their language was the Romanian language. At present, books, written in the Soviet in Transnistria, the education of children is carried out in “the ” which is nothing Union. Those books no more than Romanian, highly russified, and which is longer reflect the reality… studied and written in the Cyrillic alphabet. Yet it is known that the Moldava Principality, historically speaking, was an area of Romanian ethnicity, and, together with the Principality of Wallachia, were known as the “Romanian” Principalities. not being done until the last two years of gen- Since 1990, the Moldovan Republic adopted eral education (grade 10 and 11), and even then, the law governing the use of official languages on only for one hour a week. In contrast, education its territory. On this basis, the Cyrillic alphabet, requirements in Moldova introduce computer labs first introduced by Tsarist Russia and later con- in the seventh grade, at least twice a week. firmed by the Soviet regime, was replaced with At the same time I have to point out that educa- the Roman alphabet. tion in schools under the control of the Transnistrian Yet after 1992, the totalitarian regime in republic is dictated by Russia’s policies, which do Transnistria, which serves Moscow’s geo-strategic not always promote democratic values. Many times, interests, has banned both the teaching in school the educational discourse in Transnistria is a violent of the Roman alphabet and the use of school one, directed against democratic countries like the books edited in the Republic of Moldova or United States and states of the , Romania. Thus, in schools under the control of and which promotes the idea of the superiority the Transnistrian Republic, the Cyrillic alphabet of Russian ethnicity over other ethnic groups. In was re-introduced. The education of local children 1992, at the National School No. 1 in the city of today takes place with 20–25 year old school books, Grigoriopol, the representatives of the repressive written in the Soviet Union. Those books no lon- separatist Transnistrian regime destroyed the Roman ger reflect reality, the radical political and social alphabet, symbolically shooting each letter in the changes that have taken place in the ex-Soviet presence of the students and the teacher. That same space in the past 16–17 years. The education pro- year, at the National School in the town of Tighina, gram of Transnistrian schools introduces the study all Latin script school books were burned. of foreign languages—French or English—only in The education of children in a language that the 5th grade, even if it is a well known fact that does not exist—the so-called Moldovan language— when children are exposed to foreign languages is nothing short of a cultural genocide, taking away early in their education they are better learners. the children’s chance of a future. Starting 200 years Education in Moldova itself, for example, intro- ago under Tsarist Russia, the destruction of the duces foreign languages in the second grade, and, local population’s national identity continues to be many times, even during kindergarten. More so, carried out in Transnistria. Fundamental human the study and use of computers in Transnistria is rights are being trampled upon. 7 We begin this fight with the understanding that prosperity and progress can only flourish when our education is a priority, where democracy and freedom of choice takes precedence. Progress in life and in society can only be obtained when we focus on the development of creative potential…

The Latin population of the region could not carried now through mass media (television, radio, accept such a limitation of their rights. Teachers like newspapers, and journals) through schools and myself, together with parents and many locals, tried through churches, in other words through every to find a way out of this situation. We viewed it as possible means. our responsibility as teachers and parents to fight Before I start talking about the history of the for democracy and education in our native tongue, school I work at, Stephen the Great High School meaning the Romanian language. We do not desire, in the city of Grigoriopol, presently relocated to the and we are not arguing for, imposing the study in village of Dorotcaia (which is under the jurisdiction Romanian for the population of Transnistria as a of the Republic of Moldova), I want to say a few whole. After all, in the Republic of Moldova there words about the moral and ethical principles my are schools in Russian, Gagauz, Ukrainian, and colleagues and I personally share. Bulgarian. We only seek the opportunity for the We began this fight with the conviction that Romanian population of the Transnistrian region to school is at the basis of society, that the teacher, study in their native tongue. truthfully called the divine fruit of the human It is a clearly understood concept in the civi- soul, must tend to the human qualities. Teachers lized world: the right to education in your native have the duty to do the day-to-day work to pre- tongue is a fundamental human right. The duty of pare engineers, doctors, lawyers, workers of every any school, be it grade school, gymnasium, or high profession. We all have a holy duty as parents school, is the education and formation of person- and teachers to prevent our assimilation and the alities. Myself, as a teacher, when I think of this removal of our rights. We begin this fight with very concept—of the shaping of personalities—I the understanding that prosperity and progress can remember the ancient Greek myth of Prometheus. only flourish when our education is a priority, For thousands of years the story has given all of us where democracy and freedom of choice takes extraordinarily important advice. precedence. Progress in life and in society can The story says that “human beings were not only be obtained when we focus on the develop- created like animals, with their head bowed down ment of creative potential, as a requirement for to the ground, but much like the Gods, with their this century. Our children, the flowers of our head held high, they eyes turned towards the lives, will, I believe, only become true human heavens.” This is an incredibly insightful sugges- beings, gaining the respect and sympathy of others tion. It is not by coincidence that over the centu- and acting properly and humanely in any situation, ries, that very statement has been the inspiration when they grow up under a democratic system, a of countless works of art in regions of European situation in which truth and lawfulness and social cultural heritage. equity dominate, where honesty, human dignity, Faced with the reality that our very rights and and knowledge are properly respected. human dignity were trampled upon, we start- As a professor of literature, I’m going to make ed opposing the dictatorial, anti-democratic, and another reference to another literary work writ- authoritarian regime established in the region. In ten by a contemporary author from the north of Transnistria this separatist regime, which claims its the Republic of Moldova, Ion Druta. In his work legitimacy from falsified elections, through disin- “,” one of his characters, Tudor Mocanu, formation and lies, supported by Russian forces, has gives us an insightful confession of his faith in what brought about the trampling of human and consti- man has most precious in this world: tutional rights, poverty, and provoked the exodus “I’d place on the top, dignity, that’s all. From 8 of the population. The assimilation process is being when he is a child, as he begins to stand up, then looks around to make sure that no one will step on what is most holy to him. Dignity is as if he was carrying a bowl of water on a finger. You are human as long as the bowl is full.” We teachers, and especially those of us who teach liberal arts, try very hard to give our stu- dents this very precious human virtue: dignity. It is not surprising that the nature of the soul rests on dignity. But please believe us, it is very difficult to educate when throughout the 20th century the Soviet people have been forced into a very serious moral deviation. The same writer, Ion Druta, wrote in his article, “The Time to Cleanse—Letter to a Young Reader” on January 5, 1989, “For years and years, honesty, dignity and wisdom have been trampled and muddied to such an extent that they will never and my family’s life in 1992 and prevented me from be able to be cleaned.” working as a teacher. In 1996, I became the leader The writer comments on a sad reality but we of the civic movement to reintroduce the Roman as teachers and parents do not have the moral alphabet into schools, which had been banned ever right to fall prey to such pessimism. We have a since 1992. Because of this, on October 2, 1996, I duty to seek an exit from the current situation, was arrested, placed in isolation in the KGB build- to promote moral, ethical, and national values, ing in the city of Tiraspol, the administrative center the national language, a history of the Romanian of the separatist regime, and threatened and abused people, the cultural traditions, national ideals, and for an entire week. I was constantly told that I the rights of the local population. would never see my children again if I do not give Let me say a few words now about the history up the idea of teaching the Romanian language. of our high school, of the difficulties which we Under pressure from international organiza- face constantly, placed in our way consistently and tions, I was freed. Yet faced with various other intentionally, and of the problems that I myself constrictions, I was forced to once again become a and my colleagues have to face. I have to say refugee and move with my family to the capital of that even before the fall of the Soviet empire and the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau. Even facing the formation of the Republic of Moldova, but these difficulties I continued to fight for the right especially afterwards, we have acted in support of of children to study the Romanian language. In national ideals, scientific and historical truth, for the 1996, the Moldovan Minister of Education estab- democratization of society, the implementation of lished a Romanian language school in the City of the education system, of a set of moral and spiritual Grigoriopol and offered me the position of direc- values, for education in the Romanian language tor. For six years, since we did not have a school and the introduction of the Roman alphabet. building, we taught clandestinely in the homes of All of these activities carried out by myself teachers and parents on the basis of educational and some of my colleagues have awakened the programs developed in the Republic of Moldova. hate of the separatist, anti-democratic regime in Upset at our clandestine activity, the separatist Transnistria. The leaders there threatened my life regime in Tiraspol denied the right of the institu- 9 tion to exist and removed the right of our teachers I want to say that presently in Transnistria, to work in the schools in Transnistria. But we did besides our own school there are seven more not give up. For six years about 200 students and 20 educational institutions that teach the Romanian teachers commute daily to the village of Dorotcaia, language under the umbrella of the Minister of a village under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Education of the Moldovan Republic. They, too, Moldova. Each day, we would drive for 34 kilome- work in difficult conditions consciously imposed by ters in three rented buses to hold afternoon classes the separatist regime in Transnistria. in the school of Dorotcaia, constantly subjected But at the same time another 34 national schools to the humiliation of passing through the border in Transnistria, or over 10,000 children are subject- points of the separatist Transnistrian regime. ed to an educational genocide. The number of chil- I ask myself and ask you, of the over 200 dren in school becomes smaller each year because countries that exist today, in how many do of the discrimination and disadvantages faced by such atrocities, illegalities, terrorist and racist these schools when compared to Russian schools to activities directed at children still take place? I which many of the students are transferred. say that probably in the Republic of Moldova To protect the teachers in Transnistria and and the territory of my country occupied by a coordinate our activities, I started in 1999 the pro-Russian regime is one of very few. The lead- Association of Transnistrian Teachers, Lumina. ers of this regime, Russian citizens Smirnov and The primary goal of this association is to ensure Antiufeev, have begun an inhumane fight against the rights of children, parents, and teachers in the national schools in Transnistria. Transnistria. Our activities aim to improve the At the same time, the separatist Smirnov regime educational process, supply libraries with necessary has commercial connections with about 90 busi- books, and facilitate the further education of our nesses in the European Union. The financial students in Romania where the level of education resources obtained through these connections are is better than in Moldova. also utilized in the fight against Romanian children In the nine years that the association has existed, in Transnistria, to punish them and to trample on we obtained hundreds of university and high their legitimate rights to education. school scholarships for our students in schools in Even though we carry out our activities in such Moldova and Romania. Hundreds of Transnistrian difficult conditions, without reading rooms or gyms, children have been able to spend their vacations without well-equipped laboratories, our school con- in camps because of the association. The libraries tinues to obtain impressive results year to year. In the in Transnistria receive thousands of books, some national educational olympics we obtain the most obtained from the Romanian government and medals. Every year, over 90% of our graduates are some from private publishing houses. accepted at universities in Moldova and Romania. Let me end my speech with a Latin proverb Because of our successes, in 2004 the Minister of which I like very much, “the way to the heavens Education in Moldova granted our school the special is through patience.” I want to be well-under- title of “Science High School Stephen the Great”. stood, neither I nor my close colleagues claim For us, this title is a symbol of liberty and to have achieved unheard of performances; we national dignity, considering that Stefan the Great is simply see a ray of hope at the end of the tunnel. the most well-known leader of our nation, known Our systematic efforts have a single goal in mind, also throughout Europe as an unequaled military to ensure that children have the fundamental leader, defender of the Orthodox faith and of right to education, giving them the knowledge 10 Christendom as a whole. base necessary for them to choose their own way by the communist leadership is anti-national and I hope for, as do the false, based on lies, dogma, and untruth. parents of my students, My anti-communist position was formed by the education I received at home and from the for a normal life, one stories I heard from my parents and the grand- mother whose name I carry. My parents and without humiliation, in grandparents were deported to Siberia from the Cernauti region, nowadays in Ukraine. They suf- which culture, justice, fered famine, cold, and humiliation there. Some and personal liberty are of them are buried there. Maybe this is the reason I’ve become who I am today. respected. During Soviet times, lacking information on democracy, I still hoped in my heart for a different system, a different life, where human hopes are in life, to obtain the success and in the end, a the center. I hoped that one day we’ll be free and decent existence. that did happen in August 1991, when the Soviet I hope, as do the parents of my students, for a Union fell. normal life, one without humiliation, in which cul- My desire to live in a civilized and democratic ture, justice, and personal liberty are respected. society, to see my country enjoy the same level of I want to stress that the “Stephen the Great” High development and life as in more developed coun- School in the city of Grigoriopol is financed from tries forces me to be more than just a teacher, to be the budget of the Ministry of Education and Youth involved in politics. of the Government of Moldova. From these appro- I think it’s my duty as a citizen to help bring priations—which unfortunately are very small—the about necessary changes in society. These changes school administration has to pay all expenses: the cannot come before power is held by political par- transport of students to the school, educational mate- ties that are inherently democratic, which lead the rials, computers, teachers’ salaries, etc. country based on national interests, based on the It is regrettable that our efforts are not better interests of all members of society. assisted by the current communist government of I am a member of the National Liberal Party the Moldovan Republic, but that in the end is not of Moldova. I am also a member of the Party’s that surprising. The communist government of Permanent Central Bureau. my country is educated by Soviet ideology, which In 2001 I ran for a seat in Parliament on the list in essence is anti-national, anti-democratic, and of the Rebirth and Conciliation Party, the party of authoritarian. The mentality of the present leader- former President Mircea Snegur. ship in the Republic of Moldova is not that differ- In 2005 I ran again for Parliament on the list of ent from the mentality of the Transnistrian leader- the Electoral Alliance “Our Moldova”, led by Mr. ship. The leadership of Moldova, like the leadership , which is presently in opposition. in Transnistria, ignores the scientific fact that the In both cases, I regretfully did not win. But I am local population is ethnically Romanian and speaks not disheartened, I did not lose my courage. I will the Romanian language. They are taking us back continue to fight for a bright future for my country, to the same old ideas of “Moldovans” and the and the future my countrymen deserve. “Moldovan” language, something that no one else What do we, the teachers in Transnistria, hope in the world recognizes. The ideology promoted for? What do I hope for? 11 First of all, I hope to be able to improve the foundations and representatives of civil society in security of my students. I hope for a school for the the European Union and the United States with Romanian students in Grigoriopol, a school in their those organizations and individuals in Transnistria own city, which will not require their present com- that are actively fighting for the democratization mute over dozens of kilometers each day. I hope of Transnistria. I believe that these contacts, both for, as do the parents of my students, for a normal at government level, but also at the level of civil life, one without humiliation, in which culture, society, will bear fruit, both in the long term, but, justice, and personal liberty are respected. I know just as importantly, in the short term, in a region it will not be easy to obtain these things. Without in which hope, not yet lost, is severely weakened re-integrating Transnistria into the Republic of by current realities. Moldova we will never attain a normal situation in I feel privileged that in 2000, Romania hon- the region with respect to our fundamental human ored me with the rank of Commander of the rights. And, obtaining our own rights automatically Order “For Loyal Service.” Yet it is not rec- means respecting the same fundamental human ognition or my career that I fight for. That rights of the Russian population in Transnistria. being said, in all sincerity, I say that “The Ion To obtain these rights—a quiet, normal life Ratiu Democracy Lecture” given me this year is with security, with the right to maintain your own indeed a great honor, and I want to thank those cultural and ethnic identity without outside inter- who selected me from the bottom of my heart: ference—we need the more active involvement of the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, the European Union and the United States. But the Ratiu Democracy Center, and the Ratiu this involvement should not be limited to gov- Charitable Foundation. ernment to government relations. Governmental I hold the hope that you as well, from now contacts are extraordinarily important, but they are on, while you live in the country of democracy, not enough. I believe, and I call on civil society to will continue to pay attention to my forgotten continue to involve itself in the process of democ- land. I also want to express again my deepest ratization of Transnistria. I continue to believe gratitude to my colleagues for the noble activities in maintaining and expanding contacts between they have undertaken.

Ms. Eleonora Cercavschi is a dedicated human rights and democracy activist in Moldova’s Transnistria region. Through her remarkable accomplishments, in particular her leadership of the Stephen the Great High School (Stefan Cel Mare Si Sfint Lyceum) in Grigoriopol, Moldova, she has received rec- ognition as a political activist and an educator. Ms. Cercavschi demonstrated unparalleled commitment to securing the rights of high school children in Transnistria to education in their native language, and out- standing dedication to the cause of promoting democratic values.

12 The Ratiu Family A Short Note on Ratiu Family History

By Indrei Ratiu, M.A., M.B.A. These promotions are reflected in changes in the Trustee, Ratiu Family Foundation family coats of arms at this time; the family leopard Director, Ratiu Democracy Center not only gained a second head and a Mercury mes- senger stick reflecting the bearer’s ambassadorial status, but Petrus and his descendants also received a atiu” (or “Racz” as the name was new, additional coat of arms in recognition of their “ typically spelled under Hungarian Crusader heritage; it depicts a decapitated janissary Rrule, or “Ratz” under Austrian rule) head (which the family rarely shows). is one of the earliest documented Romanian fam- Since the rights and privileges of nobility in this ily names in Transylvania. It first appeared in 1332 part of Europe were frequently contested, in 1625 when Voivode Thomas Szeczenyi certified that Prince Gabriel Bethlen of Transylvania formally Andrei (aka Indrei) is “Nobilis” (i.e. nobleman) of renewed Stefan Racz’s Nagylak title (note the Nagylak and rightful owner of the lands around Hungarian spelling again). Twenty-five years later the village of Nagylak on the Mures river near in the next electoral contest for the princely title present-day Alba Iulia. In mediaeval Transylvania, to Transylvania, Stefan duly supported his Bethlen noble status such as Andrei’s entitled a man to many benefactors, but Bethlen lost, and in 1653 the privileges, and especially to land. victorious contender, Prince George Rakoczi II, In 1396, Thomas de Nagylak (Andrei’s grandson) confiscated all Stefan Racz’s Nagylak lands. and his men enlisted as crusaders in the army of the Stefan Racz’s two eldest sons now headed west Hungarian King Sigismund of Luxembourg who had down the river Mures and settled in the present-day allied his forces with those of Romanian voievode town of Teius. There they entered the service of Mircea the Old of Wallachia and other crusader armies the victorious Prince Rakoczi. In due course they from the West. This turned out to be the Western were rewarded with lands and a title of their own: powers’ last stand against the Ottoman Turks’ inva- Ratz von Tövis (note the German spelling). Stefan sion of the Balkans that ended with the Europeans’ and his other children, including his youngest son disastrous defeat at Nicopolis and the permanent loss Coman, headed north across the river Mures and of all lands south of the Danube to Islam. settled in Turda, a “closed” city where only people Nevertheless, Thomas de Nagylak distinguished of noble descent resided. himself in the campaign. As a reward for his servic- Somehow, the Nagylak Ratiu’s—nephews of es, King Sigismund ennobled him. In Transylvania, Stefan and sons of Coman—were accepted in Turda Thomas’ neighbours nicknamed him “Ratiu” or and survived there. All the Turda Ratiu’s are descen- “Racz”—ie “The Croat” (“Hrvac”) because he dants of these 18th century fugitives from Nagylak. had fought in the land of the Croats—and the name Eventually, in 1680, the Turda Ratius’ Nagylak stuck: the family name became Racz de Nagylak. title was reconfirmed by Prince Rakoczi’s succes- From the 14th century onwards the family sor, Prince Mihai Apafi I. This 1680 document obtained several further titles of nobility. Emperor mentions Ratiu descendants Vasile with his sons Rudolf II Habsburg appointed Petrus Ratz von Ioan and Vasile. Nagylak, (as the name was now spelled in German), 18th century Ratiu family members also became “imperial translator for Romanian relations.” Petrus closely identified with the Uniate Church (i.e. Greek- and his family settled in Rudolf’s chosen capital, Catholic) part of the former Orthodox diocese of Prague, and fought in a number of his campaigns. Transylvania that had united with Rome in exchange Eventually Petrus was appointed the emperor’s for civil rights under Austrian rule. But the promised ambassador to the Court of Russia, in St Petersburg. civil rights were all too slow in materializing. 13 In 1829 Fr. Basiliu Ratiu (1783–1870) a leading Joseph with a historic “Memorandum” of the figure in the Romanian Uniate Church, countered civil rights they sought. Although Dr. Ioan Ratiu yet another attempt by the local Hungarian nobility and his colleagues were jailed for their efforts, his to evict the family from Turda. This was a landmark memorable words at their trial were taken up by settlement that complemented Fr. Basiliu’s successful the press throughout Europe, serving as powerful resolution of the family’s legal battle against the heirs encouragement to subject peoples everywhere: of the family’s Nagylak lands—by this time held by “Gentlemen” declared Dr. Ioan Ratiu before his the family’s former neighbors and friends in Nagylak, judges, “it is not we who are on trial here today, the Bethlens. Fr. Basiliu was not able to recover the but yourselves. The existence of a people is not for land itself but he obtained substantial compensation discussion, but rather for affirmation…” instead. To these funds other family members in turn Dr. Ioan Ratiu died in 1902, but his widow Emilia made donations of their own so that in 1839 a new and his daughter Felicia continued his struggle for stone Uniate church and a school—both catering Romanian civil rights and, once Transylvania had unit- primarily to Romanians—could be built right in the ed with Romania in 1918, implementing the principle center of otherwise Hungarian Turda. Both struc- of national self-determination, mother and daughter tures have survived. The charitable foundation or focused more specifically on the cause of women’s “Eforie” established by Fr. Basiliu in 1867 with the rights in Romania—in which they were pioneers— balance of the Bethlen settlement later financed the until their deaths in 1929 and 1938 respectively. construction of Turda’s central market place (which Also in 1918, following Transylvania’s union also survives) and granted scholarships to numerous with Romania, Dr Ioan Ratiu’s great-nephew, the young Romanians until as recently as 1948 when all young lawyer Augustin Ratiu was rewarded with assets of the Romanian Uniate church were finally the prestigious post of first Romanian prefect of confiscated by the communist regime, and remain Turda County. In addition to a successful law office unreturned to this day. and his active involvement in the town’s College of The same “Eforie” founded by Fr. Basiliu Ratiu Arts and Trades, he was also to hold office repeat- also supported the establishment in 1902 of Turda’s edly as mayor and councillor at both the county and first College of Arts and Trades which survives municipal levels. In Turda, Augustin Ratiu’s civil today as Turda’s “Ratiu College” with buildings administrations ushered in a period of prosperity erected on Ratiu family land. During the 1930’s his (Turda’s great glassworks opened soon after WWI), descendent Augustin Ratiu played a leading role in and post WWI Turda of Augustin Ratiu’s day equipping the school with adequate buildings and a quickly became a cultural melting-pot (Romanian, spirit of enterprise. Although for 40 years of com- Hungarian, German, Jewish and Roma). munism the school was known as “Chemistry 2,” it Also present throughout the historic process of has recently revived the family connection and (since Transylvania’s 1918 union with Romania were Dr. 2004) Indrei Ratiu serves on the school board. Ioan Ratiu’s private secretary, protege and distant Fr. Basiliu Ratiu and his illustrious nephew, the relative of Iuliu Maniu, who was to serve many lawyer Dr. Ioan Ratiu, took part in and survived times as Romanian prime-minister during the the bloody 1848 revolution in Transylvania. Dr inter-war period, and his young grandson, Viorel Ioan Ratiu, whose statue can still be seen opposite Tilea. Tilea later went on to set up Romania’s first Turda’s city hall, went on to champion civil rights national tourist office, the “ONT”, and to serve for Romanians within Austro-Hungary’s officially as Romanian ambassador to Great Britain. Here multicultural empire, leading a 300 strong delega- in 1939, he was joined by another young law- 14 tion of Transylvanians to petition emperor Franz- yer, Augustin Ratiu’s own eldest son, Ioan (later Ion now committed his life to the cause of unmasking the true nature of communism worldwide through numerous publications, broadcasts, demonstrations and the exhibition of political cartoons.

changed to “Ion” which he considered more pleas- Union of Free Romanians, launched at the Geneva ing to British ears!). Congress of Free Romanians in 1984. On his recall to Marshall Antonescu’s nazi-allied Like his ancestor Fr. Basiliu Ratiu, Ion was also Romania in 1941, Tilea and his entire embassy to demonstrate considerable business acumen, first sought and received asylum in Britain. Ion immedi- in shipping, later in real estate and media. The fam- ately received a scholarship to Cambridge University ily business, managed today by his son Nicolae was where, already a qualified lawyer, he now commit- to be the platform for yet another development in ted himself to the study of comparative political sys- the family tradition: a new family foundation. tems and economics. Tilea was to die in London in In 1979, Ion and Elisabeth established a British 1974 while Ion’s exile from his native Romania was successor foundation to Fr. Basiliu Ratiu’s original to last almost 50 years. It was not until 1990, after 1867 Family Foundation, or “Eforie.” This was the the fall of Ceausescu’s communist dictatorship, that Ratiu Family Foundation, a British charitable trust, he was able to continue his lifelong campaign for designed for the “promotion of Romanian lan- Romanian democracy on home territory. guage, culture and civilisation, and the relief of poor In London, Ion met and married Elisabeth, from Romanians.” In 1987, 120 years after his ancestor the glass-manufacturing Pilkington family, who Fr. Basiliu had gathered members of his own gen- even boasted a crusader ancestor buried somewhere eration in Turda to establish the first Ratiu Family in Romania’s Olt valley on his way to Palestine. Foundation—the “Eforie,” Ion presented his vision After the war, the young couple planned to return for the new Family Foundation to a London gather- to Romania, but in 1946, soon after the birth of ing of over 25 family members, inviting all to partici- their first son Indrei, they were advised instead by pate in the new ­foundation’s work, as volunteers. Ion’s mentor Iuliu Maniu, to “continue the fight for Today the Ratiu Family Foundation is man- Romanian democracy and freedom from abroad.” aged by his son Nicolae and partners with various In 1948 Maniu and Romania’s entire democratic institutions and organizations around the world in leadership as well as all loyal priests of the Romanian pursuit of its mission. The Foundation maintains Uniate church were jailed by the newly installed offices in London, Turda, and Bucharest that are communist regime. Most of those jailed, including jointly staffed by professionals and volunteers. Maniu and supporters such as Ratiu family member Communications technology makes it possible for Liviu Cigareanu, died in prison, their bodies dumped family members in present-day Turda, London in unmarked graves—in fields and on hillsides which and Bucharest to share in the organization of can be visited to this day. Foundation-sponsored programs and events as far Maniu’s advice and a long fight with tuberculo- afield as Phoenix (where the Foundation offers sis spared Ion and his own immediate family from Romanian travel scholarships through Arizona a similar fate. Ion now committed his life to the State University) and Washington, D.C. (where the cause of unmasking the true nature of commu- Foundation has endowed the Ion Ratiu Chair of nism worldwide through numerous publications, Romanian Studies at Georgetown University, the broadcasts, demonstrations and the exhibition of only one of its kind on the American continent). political cartoons. He also engaged in activities spe- Most recently, the Family Foundation has cifically addressing the issue of a democratic future worked with the Center for Democracy, the Third for Romania, such as the Cambridge University Sector of Georgetown University, and with the Romanian Students Association, the Free Romanian Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Press, (founded in 1957); ACARDA, the Anglo in Washington, D.C., to develop and ­organize the Romanian Cultural Association, and the World innovative annual lecture entitled the Ion Ratiu 15 Democracy Lecture that seeks to recognize and missioned as top cadet at the Artillery Military reward men and women of principle struggling in Academy in Craiova, and in April 1940 he joined their own part of the world to promote democracy Romania’s Foreign Service. He was sent to London and freedom. as a chancellor at the Romanian Legation. The More recently in Romania, The Family Foundation decision to align Romania with the Axis powers funds organizations that include the Ratiu Center for later in 1940 appalled Ion Ratiu, who resigned his Democracy with offices in Cluj as well as Turda, post and obtained political asylum in Britain. He offering (since June 2009) a historic library of 20th won a scholarship to study economics at St. John’s century political papers collected by Viorel Tilea College, Cambridge, and in 1945 Ion Ratiu mar- and Ion Ratiu; an annual series of open Democracy ried Elisabeth Pilkington in London. Lectures in the university city of Cluj; competitions In exile in London after the communist take- that foster innovative democracy-related social science over of Romania in 1946, Ion Ratiu threw himself research; the annual Turda Democracy Gatherings, into the struggle against communism, becoming a and a multitude of civil society applications of regular contributor to the Romanian Service of the democratic principles, such as Turda Fest—an annual BBC, Radio Free Europe and Voice of America. In agricultural fair; debating for young people; various 1957 his book Policy for the West was published, campaigns, such as anti-human trafficking—and a radically challenging contemporary Western views lively volunteer program. of the nature of communism. He then went into Fundatia Ratiu Romania is a Romanian human- shipping and later into real estate, where he accu- itarian foundation established by Ion’s widow mulated considerable wealth. In 1975, the year he Elisabeth to provide vital assistance to categories of published another work, Contemporary Romania, Romanians that other agencies fail to reach, such as Ion Ratiu decided to devote all his energy to children with leukemia, or fostering chronically ill the pursuit of a free Romania. Mr. Ratiu led the or handicapped homeless children. Today Fundatia British-Romanian Association from 1965 to 1985 Ratiu promotes social engagement through the arts. and played a key role in the setting up of the World These charitable activities are supported by the Ratiu Union of Free Romanians, of which he was elected Foundation U.S.A., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit orga- president in 1984. After the fall of Ceausescu, he nization registered in Washington, D.C. continued for some years to subsidize the pub- When he died in 2000 Ion Ratiu left neither lication outside Romania of the monthly Free personal wealth nor major bequests.…only family Romanian, which he had launched in 1985. responsibilities: the responsibilities of managing and Ion Ratiu returned to Romania in 1990 to run applying those resources that, like those of his 19th for the presidency. Although he became member century ancestor, he had left in trust so that the of the Romanian Parliament, and served as both family’s work might continue. Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies as well as Romania’s roving ambassador to NATO, his Ion Augustin Nicolae Ratiu failure to win the presidency was a grave disappoint- ment to many. Sympathizers continue to refer to Ion Augustin Nicolae Ratiu, born in Turda, him as “the best president Romania never had.” Transylvania, on 6 June 1917, was the son of Ion Ratiu died in London surrounded by his Augustin Ratiu, a successful lawyer, mayor, county family after a short illness, and in accordance with prefect and great-grandnephew of Dr. Ioan Ratiu, his wishes, was buried in January 2000 in his home the leader of the Romanian National Party. A town of Turda. His funeral was attended by over promising law student, Ion Ratiu seemed destined 10,000 people. [Adapted from the obituary published in 16 for an academic career, but in 1938 he was com- the London Times, 19 January 2000.] Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Lee H. Hamilton, President and Director

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is the living, national memorial to President Wilson established by Congress in 1968 and headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is a nonpartisan institution, supported by public and private funds, engaged in the study of national and world affairs. The Wilson Center establishes and maintains a neutral forum for free, open, and informed dialogue. The Center commemorates the ideals and concerns of Woodrow Wilson by: providing a link between the world of ideas and the world of policy; and fostering research, study, discussion, and collaboration among a full spectrum of individuals concerned with policy and scholarship in national and world affairs.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Joseph B. Gildenhorn, Chair; Sander R. Gerber, Vice Chair Public Members: James H. Billington, The Librarian of Congress; Hillary R. Clinton, The Secretary, U.S. Department of State; G. Wayne Clough, The Secretary, Smithsonian Institution; Arne Duncan, The Secretary, U.S. Department of Education; Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Adrienne Thomas, Acting Archivist of the United States; Carol Watson, Acting Chairman, National Endowment for the Humanities Private Citizen Members: Charles Cobb, Jr., Robin Cook, Charles L. Glazer, Carlos M. Gutierrez, Susan Hutchison, Barry S. Jackson, Ignacio E. Sanchez

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars One Woodrow Wilson Plaza 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004-3027 (202) 691-4000, fax (202) 691-4001 www.wilsoncenter.org

The Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation Ratiu Center for Democracy 8th Floor, 54-62 Regent Street P-ta 1 Decembrie 1918, nr 1 London, W1B 5RE UK Turda 401094, Romania

The 2008 Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture is made possible by additional support from:

Vintu Foundation for Excellence in Education and Journalism Moldova Foundation 61A, Av.d’Auderghem 1425 K Street, NW, Suite 350 Bruxelles 1040, Belgique Washington, DC 20005 Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars One Woodrow Wilson Plaza 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004-3027 (202) 691-4000, fax (202) 691-4001 www.wilsoncenter.org

ION RATIU DEMOCRACY LECTURE

The purpose of the Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture is to bring visibility and international recognition to the ideas and accomplishments of individuals around the world who are working on behalf of democracy. The event expresses the deep commitment to democ- racy of the late Ion Ratiu through his contributions as a Romanian politician as well as his interest in democratic change worldwide. The Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture aims to replicate for campaigning democrats today, whether in exile from repres- sive regimes or representative of today’s emerging democracies, the life-changing experience in Washington, D.C., of the then young Romanian democrat, Ion Ratiu, during the 1970s and 80s. The Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture strives to enrich the intellectual environment in which ideas about democracy and democratic change circulate, both within and beyond Washington. It seeks to make available for students, scholars, practitioners, and policy- makers the experience and insights of individuals whose work and commitment on behalf of democracy are broadly in keeping with those of Ion Ratiu; to provide opportunities to engage a wide range of Washington-based and interna- tional audiences to increase their appreciation of the contribution that individuals can make in advancing democratic change. Equally important, the Lecture aims to be of value for the individual or individuals who are selected to participate, providing opportunities to reflect and learn, and to benefit from individual and institutional resources that are uniquely available in Washington, including meeting with U.S. government officials. The 2008 Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture at the Woodrow Wilson Center is the fourth event in a series begun at Georgetown University in 2005 and held at the Wilson Center since 2006. Past awardees include Sergio Aguayo (Mexico), Saad El-Din Ibrahim (Egypt) and Anatoli Mikhailov (Belarus). Professor Eliot Sorel, MD, serves as Senior Advisor to the Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture.

Nominations for the Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture should be submitted to [email protected] or to www.wilsoncenter.org/ratiu